Couple first bonded over badminton
Published: Thursday 10 July 2025

An East Kilbride couple who met on the badminton court are still the perfect match 60 years later.
Martin and Winnie Smith first met while playing the sport in the early 1960s, and were married in the South Parish Church, East Kilbride on July 2, 1965, with the reception at the Torrance Hotel in the village.
Martin worked at Rolls-Royce while Winnie was a maths teacher at Claremont High School for many years.
The couple have two daughters, Fiona and Lynn, and two grandchildren, Ross and Cara.
When they were young, Ross and Cara were up every day before and after school, demanding ‘magic cut’ apples, toast and the ‘house special’ – noodles. Now they are always on call as chauffeurs and tech support.
Although they met playing badminton, their real passion has always been sailing.
On their yacht, Freelance, they’ve sailed all up and down the west coast of Scotland. When they are not out sailing, they enjoy tending their garden or playing bridge.
Joining them at their home in East Kilbride to help them celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary was South Lanarkshire’s Provost Margaret Cooper, who presented the couple with flowers and a certificate on behalf of the council.
And Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Dr William Morrison Young was also on hand to present them with a certificate from King Charles to mark their achievement.
If you would like the Provost to attend a Diamond Wedding or 100th birthday please get in touch with the Provost’s Office.
25 August 2025
Overnight closures for street in Hamilton
25 August 2025
Wide range of community groups to benefit from Local Action Fund
22 August 2025
Local Action Fund split to support wide range of local projects
21 August 2025
Funding boost is widely shared in Hamilton West and Earnock
21 August 2025
South Lanarkshire exam results reveal increases across the board
19 August 2025
Community group to redevelop derelict buildings
19 August 2025
Campaign continues to urge everyone to stop engine idling
18 August 2025
New chief executive for SLLC
18 August 2025
Rural roads clean-up campaign fills 1200 bags of litter
15 August 2025
Major improvements on way for road in East Kilbride